June 24, 2011
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has been given the go-ahead to create new Top-Level Domains (TLDs) to compete with .com, .net, .org and country codes like .ca and .mx.
Many companies around the world that have been lobbying for years for these TLDs quickly welcomed the move, according to Mashable.com. The new TLDs will range from cities like .paris and .nyc, to brands like .canon and .hitachi, to verticals like .gay and .ski. The first such domains are expected to be in search engines in 2013.
The new TLDs offer more consumer choice and a safe zone for companies who own their own trademark to be free from phishing, domain spoofing, knock-off sites and counterfeiting. It also means that whatever domain names these companies come up for new products and promotions their own .brand will always be available.
The process of implementing TLDs is very complicated. Running a TLD involves taking responsibility for core infrastructure of the Internet, so specialist technical providers are required to support each new TLD and the applications must include comprehensive and fully funded business plans and detailed policy documents governing the rules for usage of the new domains. Where more than one company applies for the same or similar domain that domain will be auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.
There have been complaints about the price tag: a $185,000 application fee plus the cost of producing a 200-odd page application and set-up time.